Trump will keep Obama’s protections for LGBTQ workers but there may be a catch

2017-01-31

"The executive order (EO) signed in 2014, which protects employees from anti-LGBTQ workplace discrimination while working for federal contractors, will remain intact at the direction of President Donald J. Trump," the administration said in a statement. However, the decision the EO does not prevent Trump from signing another order that creates religious exemptions for the LGBTQ protections.

There have been unverified rumors that the administration is considering a religious exemption order. A new order could allow federal contractors to cite their religious beliefs – for example, religious opposition to same-sex marriage or just LGBTQ people in general – to fire, refuse to hire, or refuse to promote a LGBTQ worker. Trump has said that he support the First Amendment Defense Act, a law that would allow discrimination against LGBTQ people on a religious basis.

The White House told the New York Times that Trump won’t undo all of the progress from Obama’s EO but he might peel it back with broad religious exemptions. This may be a sign for government contractors that Trump may not discard all of Obama’s executive orders.

The foregoing has been prepared for the general information of clients and friends of Workplace Dynamics LLC and is not being represented as being all-inclusive or complete. It has been abridged from legislation, administrative ruling, agency directives, and other information provided by the government. It is not meant to provide legal advice with respect to any specific matter and should not be acted upon without professional counsel.